Introduction
The unit will explore the strategic aims and objectives of an organisation and their significance in setting direction, identifying success and progress for the organisation. The unit will also explore where different strategic options may lead the organisation to change its direction.
706 Strategic Direction Assignment-UK.
Scenario:
Learners may use their own employment context, or that of another organisation with which they are very familiar, to base their assignment. However, in the case that they are not able to do so, please use the below scenario:
You are a manager at a medium-sized organisation. You have been asked to review your organisational strategic plan to establish if suitable progress is being made to meet the organisation’s strategic objectives. Analysis of internal and external factors affecting the plan is part of your remit and it has been suggested you examine options to meet the plan which is more effective and cost-efficient. From your analysis, you need to justify your
recommendations and so, valid and realistic options need to be produced.
If you will be using the scenario, please select and research an organisation of your choice with regards to their strategic plan. Provide details of your research and a short summary of the information you have found in order that the assessor may contextualise your responses to the tasks below. The summary is expected to be between 200 and 250 words.
Task 1:
Critically analyse the current strategic aims and objectives of your chosen scenario /organisation, you may wish to consider the fuller hierarchy of objectives, within your critical analysis, enable greater detection of misalignment. Use techniques and modelling to
underpin your critical analysis, where feasible.
Decompose your organisational strategy into logical component parts, it is likely that each functional area will have their own customized strategies and tactics; it is within this sphere that misalignment often occurs. Not all component parts of the strategy will have the same value or level of risk; this may be considered in your analysis.
Critically conduct an environmental scan focused on environmental factors in the short and medium term, short being up to one year, longer term being up to three years.
A.C. 1.1 – Critically analyse the existing strategic aims and objectives of the organisation
A.C. 1.2 – Undertake a critical evaluation of the components of current organisational strategy
A.C. 1.3 – Critically analyse the factors affecting the strategic aims of organisational strategy over the short and medium term
706 Strategic Direction Assignment-UK.
Task 2:
Conduct an audit customised for the purpose of signposting the activities within the processes of working towards existing strategic aims and objectives. Embed diagnostic tools from across the business domain to add validity and confident in the auditing activity.
Identify ten stakeholders connected with the organisation and evaluate their expectations.Undertake stakeholder mapping to analyse the power and influence they have upon the organisational strategy. Strategic Stakeholder Tooling is recommended for this task.
Evolve a strategic positioning map or tool(s) to enable critical analysis of the business processes and activities towards the achievement of the current strategic posit.
A.C. 2.1 Apply a range of diagnostic and analytical tools to audit and assess progress towards existing strategic aims and objectives
A.C. 2.2 Take responsibility for and critically assess the expectations of all stakeholders and their influence upon future organisational strategy
A.C. 2.3 critically analyse, interpret and produce an evaluation of the existing organisational strategic position and progress towards achieving the existing strategy. Use at least three recognised strategic tools
Task 3:
Deploy strategic options tools to support the critical evaluation of your identified range of strategic options in the short and medium term. Conduct critical analysis of the value of your chosen tools, together with suitable criteria for the selection of use of such tools. Supporting factors may be such factors as profit, core competencies, quality, competitive factors and business processes.
Determine and justify the evolved strategic option(s) and assess its suitability in contributing to meeting any revised strategic posit.
A.C. 3.1 critically evaluate and develop a range of alternative strategic options to meet organisational strategic aims, direction and objectives in the short and medium term
A.C. 3.2 Determine and justify the existing strategic option that can meet the revised strategic position
Learners are required to complete all tasks.
Assignment Guidelines:
All work must be submitted in a single electronic document (.doc file). This should go to the tutor and Centre Manager/Programme Director, plus one hard copy posted to the Centre Manager.
The assignment must be the Learner’s own work and not copies of theories or models.Direct quotes should be kept to a minimum, and shown in inverted commas. Models described and other quotes used must be properly attributed and referenced as appropriate. Learners must acknowledge or reference any sources that have been used to
complete the assignment, listing reference material and web sites used.
706 Strategic Direction Assignment-UK.
Learners are encouraged to produce a reflective statement of no more than 300 words (which does not count towards the final word count), describing the value and knowledge gained from undertaking this assignment. The reflective statement is not assessed; however, it encourages you to review the value and application of your learning.
Plagiarism and Collusion:
In submitting the assignment Learner’s must complete a statement of authenticity confirming that the work submitted for all tasks is their own. The statement should also include the word count.
Plagiarism and collusion are treated very seriously. Plagiarism involves presenting work,excerpts, ideas or passages of another author without appropriate referencing and attribution. Collusion occurs when two or more learners submit work which is so alike in ideas, content, wording and/or structure that the similarity goes beyond what might have
been mere coincidence.
Appendices:
Separate Appendices should not be used. Any use of tables, graphs, diagrams, Gantt chart and flowcharts etc. that support the main report should be incorporated into the back of the assignment report that is submitted. Any published secondary information such as annual reports and company literature, should be referenced in the main text of the
assignment but not included.
Confidentiality:
Where a Learner is using organisational information that deals with sensitive material or issues, they must seek the advice and permission from that organisation about its inclusion.Where confidentiality is an issue, Learners are advised to anonymise their assignment report so that it cannot be attributed to that particular organisation.
Word Count Policy:
In total, the assignment report should be between 2500 – 4500 words. Learners must comply with the required word count, within a margin of +10%. These rules exclude the index (if used), headings and information contained within references and bibliographies. When an assessment task requires learners to produce presentation slides with supporting
notes, the word count applies to the supporting notes only.
706 Strategic Direction Assignment-UK.
Referencing and Professionalism:
A professional approach to work is expected from all learners. Learners must therefore identify and acknowledge ALL sources/methodologies/applications used. The learner must
use an appropriate referencing system to achieve this. Marks are not awarded for the use of English; however the learner must express ideas clearly and ensure that appropriate terminology is used to convey accuracy in meaning.
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